South Ribble

South Ribble's population grew in the 10 years leading up to 2011. At the same time there were changes in marriage, religion and ethnicity.

The population reached nearly 110,000

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of South Ribble increased by 5.0%, from just under 104,000 to 109,000.

The addition of almost 5,200 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, South Ribble was home to, on average, 6.9 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the North West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the North West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older South Ribble

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of South Ribble increased by three years, from 39 to 42 years.

This affluent area had a higher average age than the North West and remained somewhat older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 3,200 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just over 2,000.

About 12% of people in South Ribble are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and South Ribble by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in South Ribble

The percentage of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased in South Ribble, but at a slower rate than across the North West.

In South Ribble, the proportion of single people increased from 25% in 2001 to 30% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion increased from 30% to 36%.

Across the North West, the share of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased from 30% to 36%.

The proportion of married people in South Ribble fell from 57% to 52%, while the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner increased from 10% to 12%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was lower than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were single across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

More people cohabiting

The percentage of households in South Ribble, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 7.6% to 10% in the decade to 2011.

The percentage that had only one person remained close to 27%, while the percentage of households in South Ribble which comprised a married couple (with or without children) decreased from 43% to 38%.

The proportion of households with an unmarried couple increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 7.9% in 2001 to 9.8% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 8.3% to 9.9%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple in South Ribble increased by 2.7 percentage points

Percentage of households in South Ribble, the North West and England that had an unmarried couple, March 2001 and March 2011

Changing work life

The percentage of South Ribble residents that were studying increased from 2.6% to 2.9% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just under 6 in 10 (59%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 58% in 2001. The percentage of South Ribble residents that were unemployed increased from 2.2% to 3.0%.

The proportion of students increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 2.5% in 2001 to 3.5% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 2.6% to 3.5%.

The percentage of students was lower than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that said they were in education across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in South Ribble

The 2011 Census asked a voluntary question about religion. Of those who chose to disclose their religious affiliation, 18% said they had no religion. An increase from 9.2% in 2001 makes this the fastest-growing religious group in South Ribble.

The percentage increased by less than the average across the North West (from 10% to 20%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in South Ribble that described themselves as Christian decreased from just under 88,000 in 2001 to about 83,000 in 2011 (from 85% to 76%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation increased from just under 5,800 to about 6,300 (from 5.6% to 5.7%).

Just over 590 people (0.3%) said they were Muslim, up from just under 340 in 2001 (0.5%).

The population without a religion in South Ribble increased by 8.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and South Ribble by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in South Ribble

The percentage of South Ribble residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.2% to 4.0% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 13 (7.5%) reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities, compared with 7.8% in 2001. The percentage of South Ribble residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 89%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 3.7% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in South Ribble

In 2011, 97% of the local population said they were from the White ethnic groups. An increase from 98% in 2001 makes this the fastest-growing ethnic group in South Ribble.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across the North West (from 94% to 90%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in South Ribble from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 1,200 in 2001 to about 1,600 in 2011 (from 1.1% to 1.5%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from about 640 to just under 1,200 (from 0.6% to 1.1%).

About 270 people (0.2%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 180 in 2001 (0.3%).

The population from the White ethnic groups in South Ribble remained close to 97%

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and South Ribble by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

In South Ribble, the proportion of private renting increased from 3.8% in 2001 to 9.3% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion increased from 8.5% to 15%.

Across the North West, the share of privately rented homes increased from 8.5% to 15%.

The rate of social housing in South Ribble remained close to 11%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 83% to 79%.

Private renting in South Ribble increased by 5.5 percentage points

Percentage of households in South Ribble, the North West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of South Ribble residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 9.2% to 5.1% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (82%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 69% in 2001. The percentage of South Ribble residents that described their health as fair decreased from 22% to 13%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 11% in 2001 to 6.8% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in South Ribble decreased by 4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in South Ribble, the North West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in South Ribble working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 11% to 8.6% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just over 1 in 40 (2.6%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 1.7% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 11% in 2001 to 8.3% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in South Ribble decreased by 2.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in South Ribble, the North West and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

More homes without children

The percentage of households in South Ribble without children increased from 58% to 59% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just under 3 in 10 (29%) households had at least one dependent child, compared with 31% in 2001. The percentage of households in South Ribble with only adult children living with their parents remained close to 11%.

The proportion of households without children increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 59% in 2001 to 61% in 2011). Across England, the percentage remained close to 61%.

The proportion of households without children was lower than across the North West

Percentage of households without children across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

The percentage of South Ribble residents that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 2.1% to 2.5% in the decade to 2011.

The percentage who reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week remained close to 1.1%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 2.4% in 2001 to 2.8% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 2.1% to 2.4%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in South Ribble remained close to 2.5%

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and South Ribble by care, March 2001 and March 2011

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